A proposal to open a 7-Eleven on Nassau Street at the site of the former West Coast Video store is moving forward in spite of a new town ordinance restricting business hours that was targeted at the convenience store.

The town of Princeton’s site plan review advisory board will discuss the proposed 7-Eleven plans for 259 Nassau Street at the board’s regular meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in meeting room B at the municipal building at 400 Witherspoon Street.

After the site plan review advisory board looks at the plans and makes recommendations, the Princeton Planning Board will review the plans.

In December, the Princeton Council voted unanimously to restrict business hours in or directly next to residential zones, forbidding businesses from being open between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.. The ordinance exempts businesses serving Princeton University students, including the Wawa and the Princeton University Store. The CVS on State Road is also exempt. The ordinance does not apply to restaurants with liquor licenses.

Businesses that want to remain open past 2 a.m. may do so for up to six days per year but must first apply to the town or the police department for permission.

The only business the ordinance would apply to that operates now or has been proposed is the 7-Eleven.

Originally the governing body was divided on the ordinance. Council members approved the ordinance after it was amended to include an agreement to monitor the effectiveness of the ordinance over a three-year period, after which the ordinance will expire. A task force will be established to evaluate how it affects quality of life, economic development and the community.

The West Coast Video building has been vacant for several years. Rite Aid leased the building but never opened a store there.

Noone had to encourage neighbor opposition. The idea of putting a 24/7 store in a quiet residential community was enough to create opposition on its own. It’s a bad plan, and there were alternatives. Unfortunately, they weren’t pursued.